Original Ford Tri Motor Plane Spends Weekend Flying Over Wayne County
WAYNE COUNTY, OH, Sep. 2019 — If you noticed an increase of activity in the sky over Wayne County recently, it was none other than a restored Ford Tri Motor aircraft. The vintage plane, one of the first in commercial aviation, spent the weekend giving eager visitors a glimpse of what early air travel was like.
While the plane offered few amenities, comforts, and conveniences of modern aircraft. Everyone enjoyed their experience, especially 96-year old Susan Maksymicz of Fairport, New York, who was in town to visit her daughter, Arlene. She enjoyed it so much that she was on her second trip.
“I went up once,” she said, smiling as she exited the craft. “I really enjoyed it and decided to come back and do it again.”
Rides lasted about 20 minutes, and by the time Pilot John Maxfield landed, a new line of people was formed. “I have been up about about 20 times so far,” he said. “And we are only halfway through the day.”
Ford Tri-Motor Fast Facts
Cruise Speed — 122 mph
Range — 560 miles
Ceiling — 18,500 feet
Wingspan — 77 feet 6 inches
Length — 50 feet 3 inches
Height — 12 feet 8 inches
Maximum Seating — 12
Turning Radius — 60 feet
Fuel Capacity — 277-355 gallons
By Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.
